The Ultimate Guide To Filling Your Island In Belize

Belize is a breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean nation with over 239 miles of coastline and hundreds of offshore islands. It is home to the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, and the second-largest barrier reef in the world. With so many islands to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones to visit. This guide will help you fill your itinerary with the best islands Belize has to offer.

The Belize Barrier Reef

In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, which includes seven marine reserves, 450 cayes, and three atolls, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This was due to its vulnerability and the importance of its natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity. The reserve system covers an area of 960 square kilometres (370 sq mi) and includes the following protected areas:

• Glover's Reef Marine Reserve
• South Water Caye Marine Reserve
• Half Moon Caye Natural Monument
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Ambergris Caye
• Caye Caulker
• Caye Chapel
• Carrie Bow Caye
• St. George's Caye
• English Caye
• Rendezvous Caye
• Gladden Caye
• Ranguana Caye
• Long Caye
• Moho Caye
• Blackbird Caye
• Three Corner Caye
• Northern Caye
• Tobacco Caye
• Sandbore Caye

Belize has implemented several protective measures to preserve the reef, including an oil drilling moratorium, development restrictions, and fishing reforms. In December 2010, Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling. Despite these efforts, the reef remains under threat from oceanic pollution, uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. Other threats include hurricanes and the increasing ocean temperatures caused by global warming, which lead to coral bleaching.

Island accommodation

Belize is home to a plethora of islands and cayes, offering a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets. From luxurious private islands to laid-back backpacker havens, here is a selection of island accommodation choices in Belize:

Private Island Rentals

Private island rentals in Belize offer exclusivity, privacy, and a personalised experience. These islands are often rented out to a single group at a time, providing an intimate setting for couples, families, or large groups.

Some popular options include:

• Gladden Private Island: An exclusive 1-acre island featuring a luxurious 3,000-square-foot villa for up to four guests. The staff resides on a separate island, ensuring utmost privacy.
• Bird Island: A tiny private island accommodating up to six guests in a 1,200-square-foot lodge. Bird Island offers a self-catering adventure with excellent reef snorkelling at an affordable price.
• Ranguana Caye: An affordable option with three cabanas, accommodating a small group or multiple parties. Boat transfers from the mainland are available at an additional cost.
• Little Harvest Caye: A 1.5-acre private island featuring five private suites. It is ideal for large groups or destination weddings, with a caretaker on a separate part of the island.
• Little Peter Oasis: A 3-acre island featuring overwater bungalows that can accommodate up to four guests.
• Royal Belize: A 7.5-acre island with separate villas for up to 10 guests. It offers complimentary boat transfers, a full staff, and all-inclusive meals and drinks.

Resort Accommodation

For those who prefer the amenities and services of a resort, there are several options on the islands of Belize:

• Coco Plum Island Resort: An adults-only, all-inclusive resort located on a private 16-acre island. It offers beach beds, lounge chairs, hammocks, and private cabanas with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
• St. George's Caye Resort: A luxurious spot on the island of St. George's Caye, featuring activities like kayaking, diving, and a swimming pool.
• Lina Point Belize Overwater Resort: Located in San Pedro, this resort offers overwater cabins with glass bottom floors, providing exciting views of the marine life.
• Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection: A gorgeous property in San Pedro with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre, and a garden.

Budget-Friendly Options

Belize also offers more affordable accommodation options for those on a budget:

• Tobacco Caye: A tiny island in southern Belize with budget-friendly lodging and food options. It offers easy access to the Belizean coast and is a great spot for marine life spotting.
• Caye Caulker: A laid-back island with limited luxury hotels, making it a popular choice for backpackers. Visitors can explore the island by bicycle and enjoy a relaxed Caribbean vibe.
• Belize Budget Suites: Located in San Pedro, this accommodation offers spacious rooms, a well-curated guidebook, and a peaceful garden setting.

With a range of island accommodation options, from private islands to resorts and budget-friendly choices, Belize offers something for every traveller seeking a tropical getaway.

Island food and drink

Belize's culinary scene is a melting pot of Afro-Caribbean, Mexican, Central American, Mayan, British, Latin American, Spanish, Dutch, Indian, and Chinese influences. The country's rich cultural mix has resulted in a vibrant and diverse food scene. Here's a guide to the island's food and drink offerings:

Breakfast

Breakfast in Belize is typically hearty and often includes some type of bread. Fry jacks and johnnycakes are popular breakfast options. Fry jacks are puffy, fried dough with a hollow inside that can be filled with cheese, jam, or other savoury fillings. Johnnycakes, on the other hand, have a biscuit-like texture and are best served hot. Both of these dishes are commonly accompanied by eggs and refried beans.

Lunch and Dinner

Rice and beans is considered the national dish of Belize and is eaten throughout the day. This dish consists of rice and kidney beans cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with pepper. It is often served as a side dish to various stews, including the popular stew chicken, stew beef, and stew fish. These Kriol-based recipes are dark stews flavoured with a variety of spices and annatto seed or achiote.

Belize is also known for its seafood, with fresh fish, lobster, shrimp, and conch widely available, especially in coastal areas. Red snapper, in particular, is highly prized for its firm meat and sweet flavour. Other seafood options include grouper, barracuda, shark, and marlin.

In addition to seafood, Belize offers a variety of meat and poultry dishes. Some unique game meats you may encounter include gibnut (also known as "The Queen's Rat" due to Queen Elizabeth tasting it on a visit to Belize), iguana (often called "bamboo chicken"), wild boar, and armadillo.

For a taste of Belize's cultural diversity, try the country's variety of snacks and sandwiches. Tacos, tamales (dukunu), and garnaches (fried corn tortillas topped with beans, cheese, or meat) reflect Mexican influences. Meat pies and panades (small, fried empanadas) showcase British influence. You can also find traditional sandwiches and American-style burgers.

Desserts

Belize's dessert offerings are simple yet delicious. Coconut pie, chocolate pie, and bread pudding are common, along with flan, an egg-and-condensed milk custard imported from Mexico.

Beverages

Belize offers a variety of beverages to quench your thirst. The country's national beer is Belikin, which comes in several varieties, including lager, stout, Lighthouse, and Premium. Local rum is also a popular choice, with several brands and distilleries producing fine rum.

For non-alcoholic options, fresh fruit juices are widely available, particularly orange, lime, and pineapple. Coffee enthusiasts should note that gourmet coffee is still a niche market in Belize, but hot tea is readily available.

Island activities

Belize is a breathtakingly beautiful Caribbean nation with over 239 miles of coastline and hundreds of offshore islands. The country has something for everyone, from luxurious private islands to budget-friendly options. Here are some activities to fill your time when visiting the islands of Belize:

• Explore the Belize Barrier Reef: Belize boasts the longest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, offering world-class diving and snorkelling opportunities. The diverse marine life includes barracudas, lobsters, stingrays, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, and various fish species.
• Visit National Parks and Protected Areas: Many of Belize's islands are home to national parks and protected conservation areas, such as Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a World Heritage Site, and the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, the country's largest protected marine area. These areas provide excellent opportunities for sailing, snorkelling, and scuba diving.
• Indulge in Local Cuisine: Belizean food is simple yet fulfilling, emphasising fresh, local ingredients. The nation's fishing heritage means that seafood is abundant, with fish, conch, and lobster featuring prominently on menus. Wash down your meal with an ice-cold beer or a cocktail made from fresh-squeezed juices and local rum.
• Relax and Unwind: With its laid-back Caribbean lifestyle, Belize is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. Lounge on white sandy beaches, sway in hammocks, and let the stress melt away.
• Explore Ancient Ruins: For a break from the beach, venture inland to explore ancient Maya ruins, such as Lamanai, one of Belize's oldest ruin sites.
• Enjoy Island Hopping: With over 200 islands, or "cayes," in Belize, island hopping is a must. Visit popular destinations like Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and the Silk Cayes, or discover hidden gems like Tobacco Caye and Goff's Caye.
• Partake in Water Sports: In addition to diving and snorkelling, Belize's islands offer a range of water sports, including windsurfing, sailing, jet-skiing, and swimming.
• Experience Local Culture: Belize has an eclectic mix of cultures, from its Mayan history to its British colonial past. Immerse yourself in the local culture by participating in cultural activities such as drumming and dancing.
• Enjoy Nightlife and Entertainment: Some islands, like Ambergris Caye, are known for their vibrant nightlife and parties. Join a "bash," barbecue, or beach party and dance the night away.
• Go Birdwatching: For nature enthusiasts, Belize offers excellent birdwatching opportunities. Half Moon Caye, for example, is home to over 90 different avian species, including frigates and red-footed boobies.

Island history

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, was the last British colony on the American mainland. It achieved independence on 21 September 1981, though it remains part of the Commonwealth, with King Charles III as its monarch and head of state.

The earliest known record of the name "Belize" appears in the journal of Dominican priest Fray José Delgado, dating to 1677. It is believed that the name comes from the Mayan phrase "bel Itza", meaning "the way to Itza". Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Mayan "belix" or "beliz", meaning "muddy water".

Belize has a rich history of diverse cultures and languages. The Maya civilisation spread to the area around 1500 BC and flourished until about 1200. European contact began in 1502-04, when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. English settlers began exploring the region in 1638.

In the 1820s, the Creole elite of Belize invented the legend that the country's name derived from the Spanish pronunciation of the name of a Scottish buccaneer, Peter Wallace, who established a settlement at the mouth of the Belize River in 1638. There is no proof that buccaneers settled in this area, and the existence of Wallace is considered a myth.

The British permanently settled in the region in 1716, establishing a system using enslaved Africans to cut logwood trees. In exchange for suppressing piracy, the Spanish granted the British settlers the right to occupy the area. Britain defeated Spain in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798, and Belize became a British colony in 1840.

Slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833, though former enslaved Africans continued to face restrictive institutions that limited their ability to buy land. Belize became a British Crown Colony in 1862 and was named British Honduras.

In the 20th century, Belize began attracting British investors, and the colony's economy became reliant on the mahogany trade. The Great Depression caused a near-collapse of the colony's economy, and a devastating hurricane struck in 1931, killing over 1,000 people.

Progress towards independence was hampered by a Guatemalan claim to sovereignty over Belizean territory. In 1964, Britain granted British Honduras self-government under a new constitution, and on 1 June 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize. Guatemala refused to recognise Belize as a new nation due to the ongoing territorial dispute.

Belize has a diverse society composed of many cultures and languages. While English is the official language, Belizean Creole is the most widely spoken dialect. Spanish is the second-most-commonly spoken language, followed by Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

Frequently asked questions